Heart Health News

Health Highlights: March 1, 2013

Here are some of the latest health and medical news
developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:

FDA Report Questions Use of Salmon Hormone to Treat
Osteoporosis

A salmon hormone used to treat osteoporosis in post-menopausal
women may not reduce the risk of bone fractures enough to outweigh
its cancer risks, according to a report by U.S. Food and Drug
Administration staff.

It said that three studies of oral, injectable and nasal
calcitonin-salmon drugs showed unreliable or disappointing results.
Additional research showed that the drugs posed a "plausible"
cancer risk,
Bloomberg Newsreported.

FDA advisers are scheduled to meet next week to decide if sales
of calcitonin-salmon drugs should be halted in the United States.
Last year, the European Medicines Agency said that the drugs should
not be used to treat osteoporosis.

"This lack of effectiveness when combined with the potential for a cancer risk associated with calcitonin salmon therapy raises concerns about the overall risk and benefit assessment," FDA staff said, Bloombergreported.

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Chocolate-Covered Marshmallow Eggs Recalled for Salmonella
Threat

Zachary Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Eggs are being recalled
due to the possible risk of salmonella contamination, according to
Zachary Confections, Inc.

The voluntary recall was announced Feb. 27 after a routine test
revealed the potential for salmonella contamination in a sample of
the product, the company said.

The recalled candies are packaged in 5-ounce white egg crates
with purple, green and yellow lettering. They have code dates of
D3245D, D3145E, F3145E, D3245E and a Best Buy date of 02/14/14. The
code dates and Best Buy date are located on the side panel of the
product packaging next to the Unit UPC bar code label.

The recalled candies were distributed to some retail stores in
sections of Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and
Wisconsin. No other Zachary Confections products are involved in
this recall.

The company said it has not received any reports of illnesses
associated with the recalled candies. Anyone with the recalled
products should destroy them or return them to the place of
purchase, the company said. For more information, call Zachary
Confections at 765-654-8356.

Production of the candies has been halted while the company and
the FDA investigate the source of the potential problem.

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FDA Seeks Doctors' Input on Robotic Surgical System

Surgeons are being asked to provide U.S. officials with
information about the safety and performance of widely-used
surgical robots called the da Vinci Surgical System.

The Food and Drug Administration made the request in a letter
sent Thursday to physicians who participate in an agency-run
product safety network, the
Wall Street Journalreported.

Specifically, the FDA asked doctors to provide information about
their training on the system and problems involving the machine,
made by Intuitive Surgical Inc.

The FDA decided to seek input from surgeons after noting an
increase in the number of reports of "adverse events" related to
the da Vinci Surgical system, FDA spokeswoman Synim Rivers told
WJS.

There has been an increase in the number of adverse-event
reports associated with the da Vinci system, but that rise matched
an increase in the number of procedures performed using the system,
an Intuitive Surgical spokesperson said.

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Researchers Analyze Heart of King Richard 'The Lionheart'

Researchers who analyzed the heart of England's King Richard I
say they were able to rule out the theory that he was killed by a
poisoned arrow.

The king, nicknamed Richard the Lionheart, died in 1199 after
being hit by a crossbow bolt. His heart was embalmed and buried in
the cathedral of Notre Dame in Rouen. Most historians believe
Richard I died from gangrene or septicemia caused by his wound,
BBC Newsreported.

The heart, locked in a small lead box, was discovered in the
19th Century during an excavation. Until now, the heart has not
been studied in detail. The remains of the heart are a gray-brown
powder and in too poor condition to reveal the exact cause of
death.

Along with ruling out a poisoned arrow as the cause of death,
the researchers were able to learn more about the methods used to
preserve the organ,
BBC Newsreported.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.